Difference between revisions of "Elephant tusk"

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[[File:57.581-SC39356.jpg|thumb|Oliphant horn<br>MFA# 57.581]]
 
[[File:African Elephant _USFW.jpg|thumb|African Elephant]]
 
[[File:African Elephant _USFW.jpg|thumb|African Elephant]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
 
The source of true [[ivory]]. Long, curved elephant tusks are rootless incisors that are not covered with enamel. The size and structure of a tusks depends on the animal, its age and its living conditions. Tusks as long as 6-8 feet have been obtained from African elephants. The Indian elephants produce tusks about 4-5 feet long. The tusks are primarily composed of [[dentin]], a hard calcareous material; a new layer of dentin is added each season. This produces a layered ring structure that can be seen in fresh ivory. Deteriorated ivory tends to flake and peel along these lines.
 
The source of true [[ivory]]. Long, curved elephant tusks are rootless incisors that are not covered with enamel. The size and structure of a tusks depends on the animal, its age and its living conditions. Tusks as long as 6-8 feet have been obtained from African elephants. The Indian elephants produce tusks about 4-5 feet long. The tusks are primarily composed of [[dentin]], a hard calcareous material; a new layer of dentin is added each season. This produces a layered ring structure that can be seen in fresh ivory. Deteriorated ivory tends to flake and peel along these lines.
 
[[File:57.581-SC39356.jpg|thumb|]]
 
  
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
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ivory; presa ("dente") de elefante (Port.); slagtand van een olifant (Ned.)
 
ivory; presa ("dente") de elefante (Port.); slagtand van een olifant (Ned.)
  
== Authority ==
+
==Resources and Citations==
  
 
* ''The Dictionary of Art'', Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996  Comment: F. Minney "Ivory"
 
* ''The Dictionary of Art'', Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996  Comment: F. Minney "Ivory"

Latest revision as of 14:24, 1 August 2022

Oliphant horn
MFA# 57.581
African Elephant

Description

The source of true Ivory. Long, curved elephant tusks are rootless incisors that are not covered with enamel. The size and structure of a tusks depends on the animal, its age and its living conditions. Tusks as long as 6-8 feet have been obtained from African elephants. The Indian elephants produce tusks about 4-5 feet long. The tusks are primarily composed of Dentin, a hard calcareous material; a new layer of dentin is added each season. This produces a layered ring structure that can be seen in fresh ivory. Deteriorated ivory tends to flake and peel along these lines.

Synonyms and Related Terms

ivory; presa ("dente") de elefante (Port.); slagtand van een olifant (Ned.)

Resources and Citations

  • The Dictionary of Art, Grove's Dictionaries Inc., New York, 1996 Comment: F. Minney "Ivory"
  • Hermann Kuhn, Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art and Antiquities, Butterworths, London, 1986
  • Henry Hodges, Artifacts: An Introduction to Early Materials and Technology, Ronald P. Frye, Kingston, Canada, 1988

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